What is the term for an infectious disease that can be transmitted between animals and people?

The term that describes an infectious disease capable of being transmitted between animals and humans is "zoonotic." This reflects the nature of the disease's transmission pathway, highlighting its origin in non-human animal populations before potentially affecting humans.

Zoonotic diseases can arise from various interactions between animals and humans, often influenced by environmental factors, wildlife, and domestic animals. Examples of zoonotic diseases include rabies, Lyme disease, and avian influenza. Understanding zoonotic diseases is vital for public health, as controlling them requires both animal and human health strategies, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all living organisms in health issues.

The other terms refer to different contexts; "epizootic" pertains to an outbreak of disease in animal populations, "transboundary" indicates diseases that cross international borders, and "exotic" refers to species or diseases that are not native to a region. These definitions help to clarify the specific context of disease spread and management within global health discussions.